Dec. 20, 2004

Top Texas Conservation Stories of 2004

EDITORS NOTE: In this issue of TPWD News, we forsake our usual format for the most part and provide a summary of the top conservation stories of the year. Details about these topics can be found in the online news archive. Please note that TPWD will take its customary two-week annual hiatus from distributing weekly news during the coming holidays. Unless important news develops that is worth sharing, we are not at this time planning to issue news on Dec. 27 and Jan. 3. Our current plan is to resume news distribution on Jan. 10. Happy Holidays!

Wireless Internet Service Debuts in Five Texas State Parks

AUSTIN, Texas — TengoInternet and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department are starting a pilot program to offer wireless Internet service at five Texas state parks — Choke Canyon State Park (Calliham) near Three Rivers, Blanco State Park near Blanco, Balmorhea State Park near Toyahvale, Goose Island State Park near Rockport, and Ray Roberts Lake State Park (Isle du Bois) near Pilot Point.

Nov. 22, 2004

Rainbow Trout To Star in Texas State Parks’ Family Fishing Celebration

AUSTIN, Texas — You won’t need a fishing license this winter to try your luck at hooking one of the thousands of rainbow trout being stocked in lakes and rivers at more than a dozen Texas state parks.

Texas State Parks Plan Host of Holiday Festivities

AUSTIN, Texas — The limestone walls of the Indian Council Room deep within the bowels of historic Longhorn Cavern near Burnet will ring with the sounds of the holiday season at three special Caroling in the Cave performances. The Longhorn Cavern State Park event is just one of a number of holiday events taking place at Texas state parks and historic sites this season.

Fishy Chicken Bones to be Sold on eBay

ATHENS, Texas—The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center has a collection of slightly used chicken bones, the remains of chicken leg quarters fed to Splash, the 121.5-pound world record blue catfish at the center.

Nov. 15, 2004

Give a Gift of the Great Outdoors This Holiday Season

AUSTIN, Texas — It is said that giving is better than receiving, but why not do both this holiday season.

Nov. 1, 2004

Oliver North To Speak at Veteran’s Day Ceremony

FREDERICKSBURG, Texas — Oliver L. North, combat-decorated Marine, author, and host of War Stories With Oliver North on the Fox News Channel, will recognize America’s veterans for their contributions in keeping our country free and strong as a speaker at the annual Veteran’s Day commemoration at the Admiral Nimitz State Historic Site—National Museum of the Pacific War.

Oct. 18, 2004

17th National Trails Symposium Comes to Austin Oct. 21-24

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas trails have evolved throughout the centuries from woodland traces blazed by Native Americans following wild game to a system of 500 designated trailways throughout the state catering to hikers, joggers, cyclists, equestrians, paddlers and motorized trail enthusiasts.

Oct. 11, 2004

World Birding Center HQ Grand Opening Set for Oct. 23-24

MISSION, Texas – The World Birding Center Headquarters at Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park will host a free grand opening celebration this month to mark the progress of plans begun in 1997 to restore wildlife habitat and promote birding and nature tourism.

Oct. 4, 2004

’Splash’ Lives Up To Name

ATHENS, Texas — When Cody Mullennix pulled the new world record blue catfish from Lake Texoma in January 2004, she threshed around in the water so much he dubbed her "Splash."